A 17-YEAR-OLD boy who punched and kicked a bus driver after his bus was stopped by a gang of youths has been given a supervision order.

The driver was sprayed with water, hit with a bottle and kicked and punched in the incident on February 19 at 9.15am.

Darlington Youth Court heard yesterday that the driver had got out of his vehicle when the engine was stopped by a gang of youths on the Firthmoor estate.

The Darlington boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a 12-month supervision order after he admitted affray.

James Thomas, prosecuting, said: "It was a particularly unpleasant incident."

The driver had stopped to pick up passengers in Laventhorpe Road.

While the passengers were boarding the bus, someone pressed the emergency stop button in the boot.

The driver got out to restart the engine, but before he got back into the bus, the button was pressed again.

When he got back out, one of the gang of youths behind the bus sprayed water at him.

Mr Thomas added: "He said to the youths 'Just grow up'."

The bottle was then thrown at the driver, who picked it up and threw it away.

The defendant was then said to punch the driver, who was knocked to the ground.

He tried to get back on the bus but was grabbed by the boy, who was kicking and punching him.

Mr Thomas said the driver said in interview: "I feared for my safety. After the attack I was shaken up but able to continue with my duties."

He had a swollen lip and bumps on his head.

Rory Todd, mitigating, said: "He is sorry for what he has done. He confirmed it in his interview and he regrets it."

Chairman of the magistrates Denness Garraway said: "It is very unpleasant to listen to this unprovoked attack on a bus driver. He is only doing his job."

The boy was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to the driver.